Starting at just 14-years-old, Perks helped coach 120 under-12 players called the Mozzies. With just six sets of jumpers bewtween all of the kids it had its challenges.

“It was an experience, you make few little boo boos and a few good ones,” he said

He became a local pioneer as the inaugural vice-president of the Noranda Junior Hawks Football Club, which he started with friend Allan East. Neighbouring their local bowls club, he and Allan used to head into the bowlo after practice for a “cold lemonade” and it was there he started his bowls coaching journey.

Winning two ‘WA coach of the year’ awards in 2014 and 2016, his second award was even mentioned in state parliament by his local member.

Now as a junior state coach he’s preparing his team for their next big competition, the national championships.

Perks says he enjoys seeing players improving and having fun.

“The biggest thing is the sportsmanship of it all,” he said.

“You learn how to play and the rules and you make yourself a better citizen out of that.

“For kids it gives them purpose and helps mum and dad get into the community too.

“That’s one hardest things now, to get them outside away from the tv and the mobile phones.